Sat 29 Jan 2005
Wallingford 12 - Chipping Norton 17 (29th Jan 2005)
Wallingford’s promotion prospects look almost all but over for this season over after losing 17-12 in a thrilling match away at Oxfordshire rivals Chipping Norton. The game itself was a marvellous advert for Oxfordshire rugby and in the end either side could have won it. With Gavin HULL out through injury the side was delighted to welcome back scrum half Guy CARTER who had a fine game. Also with prop Lee BLEWETT still missong through injury his younger brother Carl BLEWETT deputised.
The home side took the lead early on when after several phases of play the flanker HICKMAN barged his way over for a try which was converted by fly half SMITH. Wallingford appeared to recover from this early setback but then suffered a major blow when prop BLEWETT had to leave the field. This meant that second row David KEABLE had to move into the front row and this gave the heavier pack of Chipping Norton a distinct advantage in the set pieces, particularily the scrummage. However neither side was able to take control of the match, with a lot of the action taking place around the halfway line. Then after Wallingford skipper Olli HENDERSON had missed a couple of long range
penalties the visitors were awarded a penalty on the home side’s 10 metre line. The Wallingford Number 8 Peter THORNS took the decision to take a quick tapped penalty and he linked with centre Don JENKINS who chipped over the full backs head and then ran on to touchdown for an excellent individual score. The try was converted by HENDERSON. The home side regained the lead on the 30 minute mark after Wallingford were penalised at a ruck and SMITH slotted the penalty. The visitors almost took the lead on the stroke of half time when THORNS was hauled down just a couple of metres short of the line.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first ,with the home side content to keep the game tight and relying upon their heavier back row to gain ground whilst Wallingford trying to make more use of their more threatening backline. This was emphasised when Chipping Norton tried to run the ball out from just outside their own 22 metre line and centre JENKINS intercepted the ball to race in for a try which went unconverted. Then on the hour mark the home side went ahead in controversial circumstances when after a series of driving mauls the home side’s Number 8 appeared to have grounded the ball a metre short of the line but referee adjudged it to have been a try. The try was again converted by outside half SMITH. The last 20 minutes saw the Wallingford backs go close to scoring on a several occasions, but promising position was frequently lost when the referee awarded a series of penalties for alleged infringements at the ruck situation. In the end the home sides defence held firm for a victory which makes them clear favourites for the runners up spot in this league.
Next Saturday the club welcomes bottom side Thatcham to the Hithercroft and there is still a lot to play for this season with third spot still up for grabs and our interest in the Oxfordshire Plate Cup competition.
